AFE BABALOLA the founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), has withdrawn his defamation lawsuits against activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi, following a dramatic intervention by prominent Yoruba monarchs.
The Explainer gathered that the decision was reached after a late-night meeting hosted by Babalola at ABUAD on Sunday, January 26. The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, led a delegation of esteemed traditional rulers, including the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, and others, in appealing to the legal icon to drop the charges.
Babalola had sued Farotimi over allegations contained in his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System. The book accused Babalola of influencing judicial outcomes through corrupt means—a claim the elder statesman vehemently denied.
Speaking after the monarchs’ intervention, Babalola said, “The Kabiyesis have appealed to me over a criminal charge involving someone who accused me of corruption. While I initially rejected earlier pleas, this time, I’ve decided to withdraw the case.”
The Explainer gathered that Babalola had resisted previous overtures from notable figures, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Catholic Bishop Matthew Kukah.
“When Obasanjo came, I said no. When Kukah called, I declined. But with the monarchs, I say yes,” Babalola remarked.
The Explainer reported that Babalola’s initial refusal was rooted in a deep sense of personal affront.
“I felt hurt because of where I started in life—rising from the farm to where I am today,” he explained.
The Ooni of Ife, speaking on behalf of the monarchs, acknowledged Babalola’s contributions to Nigeria and urged him to let the matter rest.
ALSO READ: Duvets of Deception: NDLEA Busts UK-Bound Cannabis Smuggling at Lagos Airport
“Nigeria Couldn’t Happen to Me Because You Found Your Voice”: Dele Farotimi’s Message to Nigerians
“Your name is more than silver and gold. No one can tarnish it. We have resolved the matter in our own way,” Ogunwusi said.
The monarch further appealed to Babalola’s sense of fatherhood, referring to Farotimi as his “son.”
“In Yorubaland, we respect elders and cherish reconciliation. Dele Farotimi may not know your worth, but we, as custodians of tradition, cannot allow this dispute to linger,” Ogunwusi added.
Farotimi, a vocal activist, had been arrested in Lagos in November 2024 following a petition by Babalola to the Ekiti State Police Commissioner. The police arraigned him in Ado-Ekiti on 16 counts of criminal defamation and cyberbullying.
The Explainer noted that the allegations stemmed from claims in Farotimi’s book that accused Babalola and other Senior Advocates of Nigeria of corrupt practices to influence Supreme Court justices. The case stirred public discourse on free speech and the limits of criticism in Nigeria’s legal profession.
Farotimi was granted bail on December 20, with stringent conditions, including a N30 million bond and restrictions on media interviews.
By involving Yoruba monarchs, the matter has not only been de-escalated but also reaffirmed the influence of traditional institutions in modern governance.
